Method And/Or Apparatus for Video Watermarking and Steganography Using Simulated Film Grain

1. An apparatus comprising: a first circuit configured to generate a bitstream, wherein said bitstream comprises (i) a video image signal and (ii) a traceable watermark message comprising signature data presented as one or more syntax elements in a film grain syntax format, wherein said syntax elements include a logarithmic scale factor; a second circuit configured to (i) simulate film grain in response to said syntax elements of said traceable watermark message and (ii) generate a video output signal containing (a) said video image signal and (b) said simulated film grain; and a watermark detection circuit configured to extract said signature data from said simulated film grain of said video output signal, wherein said signature data (i) is not directly discernable when said video signal is displayed and (ii) provides information about the creation of said bitstream.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said first circuit further comprises a watermark generator configured to generate said signature data.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said first circuit further comprises a film grain modeler configured to generate said traceable watermark message in response to varying one or more predetermined values based on said signature data if said signature data is independent of original video data.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said film grain modeler varies (i) a logarithmic scale factor, (ii) a film grain intensity, (iii) a horizontal high cut-off frequency and (iv) a vertical high cut-off frequency.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein said bitstream further comprises compressed original video data having original film grain.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said first circuit further comprises an encoder configured to (i) vary one or more predetermined values of said traceable watermark message based on said signature data, (ii) estimate said original film grain from said original video data, and (iii) remove said original film grain if said signature data is dependent on said original video data.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein said encoder varies (i) a logarithmic scale factor, (ii) a film grain intensity, (iii) a horizontal high cutoff frequency and (iv) a vertical high cutoff frequency.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said second circuit further comprises a film grain simulation circuit configured to generate film grain in response to said traceable watermark message.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said watermark detection circuit is coupled to said film grain simulation circuit and extracts said signature data from said traceable watermark message when said signature data is independent of said original video data by estimating (i) intensity, (ii) a horizontal cutoff frequency, and (iii) a vertical cutoff frequency for each frame.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said watermark detection circuit is coupled to an adder circuit and extracts said signature data from a decompressed signal when said signature data is dependent on original video data by estimating (i) intensity, (ii) a horizontal cut-off frequency, and (iii) a vertical cut-off frequency for each frame.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said watermark detection circuit presents (i) said signature data on a first output and (ii) said video image signal on a second output.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said first circuit (i) embeds said signature data based on temporal or spatial characteristics of film grain, (ii) manipulates film grain intensity and film grain pattern, (iii) embeds said signature data in syntax elements of said traceable watermark message and (iv) manipulates said syntax elements on a picture or at a multiple of picture frequencies.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said watermark detection circuit extracts said signature data by detecting a predetermined signature pattern through a variation of signature patterns.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said watermark detection circuit extracts said signature data by estimating an absolute frequency distribution or a relative frequency distribution of film grain and a decompressed video.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said watermark detection circuit extracts said signature data by estimating either a relative intensity or an absolute intensity of film grain and a decompressed video.

16. A method for video watermarking using simulated film grain, comprising the steps of: (A) generating a bitstream using an encoder, wherein said bitstream comprises (i) a video image signal and (ii) a traceable watermark message comprising signature data presented as one or more syntax elements in a film grain syntax format, wherein said syntax elements include a logarithmic scale factor; (B) simulating film grain in response to said syntax elements of said traceable watermark message and generating a video output signal containing (i) said video image signal and (ii) said simulated film grain; (C) generating a video output; and (D) extracting said signature data from said simulated film grain of said video output signal using a decoder, wherein said signature data (i) is not directly discernable when said video signal is displayed and (ii) provides information about the creation of said bitstream.

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein step (D) further comprises the step of: frequency filtering to change one of the horizontal or vertical cut-off frequencies of the film grain.

18. The method according to claim 16 , wherein step (D) further comprises the step of: modifying an intensity of the film grain of a first decompressed video signal, wherein said first decompressed video signal comprises original video data and original film grain generated with said original video data; and modifying an intensity of the film grain of a second decompressed video signal, wherein said second decompressed video signal comprises original video data.

19. The method according to claim 16 , wherein step (A) further comprises the step of: discovering an underlying phase of a film grain insertion process; and removing simulated film grain.

20. An apparatus comprising: means for generating a bitstream, wherein said bitstream comprises (i) a video image signal and (ii) a traceable watermark message comprising signature data presented as one or more syntax elements in a film grain syntax format, wherein said syntax elements include a logarithmic scale factor; means for simulating film grain in response to said syntax elements of said traceable watermark message and generating a video output signal containing (i) said video image signal and (ii) said simulated film grain; means for generating a video output; and means for extracting said signature data from said simulated film grain of said video output signal, wherein said signature data (i) is not directly discernable when said video signal is displayed and (ii) provides information about the creation of said bitstream.

21. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said watermark detection circuit is further configured to identify a pirated copy.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein said watermark detection circuit is further configured to identify a device and playback session from said pirated copy.

23. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said traceable watermark message further comprises hidden information.

24. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said traceable watermark message simulates film grain.

25. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said simulated film grain is resistant to (i) translation, (ii) rotation, (iii) scaling and (iv) affine skew.

26. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said signature data is robust against attack in an analog domain.

27. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said information includes an address where said bitstream was created.

28. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said information includes a date when said bitstream was created.